After 40 years of loyalty, Mnangagwa the Crocodile bites back against Mugabe

Emmerson Mnangagwa now appears to be the man most likely to force Mr Mugabe from officeTsvangirayi Mukwazhi/AP

For decades Emmerson Mnangagwa was at President Mugabe of Zimbabwe’s side, an ally who was relied on to do the dirty work.

As Mr Mugabe’s bodyguard in exile, then intelligence, defence and justice minister and former vice-president, he has been described as the one person more feared than his boss and he was groomed as Mr Mugabe’s successor.

But within weeks the situation has changed and Mr Mnangagwa, known as the Crocodile, now appears to be the man most likely to force Mr Mugabe, 93, from office after almost 40 years.

After clashing with Mr Mugabe’s wife, Grace, the vice-president was accused of treachery and sacked.

Fleeing into exile and claiming to fear for his life, Mr Mnangagwa formed an alliance with the opposition, the…